Vise.



J. J. DIX 8a L. W. VAN CLEVE.

VIsE.-

` j MPLIUATION FILED MAY-19, 1909.` 47,888., vPatented Feb. 1, 1910.

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" WWW f J. J. DIX 5a L.. W. VAN GLEAVE.

VISE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1909.

Patented Feb.1,1910.

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JOSEPH J'. DIX ANI) LEE W. VAN CLEAVE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

VISE.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH J. DIX and LEE lV. VAN CLnAvn, both citizensof the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Vises, of which the following isa full, clear, and eXact description, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

rlhis invention relates to vises or clamping devices, and particularlytothat type in which the movable jaw can be moved into and out of clampingposition quickly.

One object of our invention is to provide a quicloacting clamping devicewhich is so constructed that the clamping jaw will not be liable to tiltor move out of a plane par allel to the member with which it coperateswhen it is moved into clamping position.

Another object of our invention is to provide a quick-acting clampingdevice that comprises means for adjusting the movable jaw relatively tothe stationary member with which it cooperates, and independent meansfor moving said movable jaw into and out of clamping position.

Another object of our invention is to provide a clamping device which isso constructed that the clamping jaw can be turned or adjusted in thearc of a circle, thus enabling it to be arranged in various positions.And still another object of our in vention is to provide a quick-actingclamping device of simple construction that is strong and whichcomprises few parts.

Other objects and desirable features of our invention will be`hereinafter pointed out.

Figure l of the drawings is a side elevational view of our improved viseor clamping device; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of same; Fig. 3is a top plan view of said device; Fig. 4C is a horizontal sectionalview taken on approximately the line 4 4 of Fig. l; Fig. 5 is aperspective view of the lever that actuates the clamping jaw; Fig. 6 isa perspective view of said jaw; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of theyokeshaped member that forms part of the means for moving the clampingjaw away from the stationary clamping member with which it coperates.

Referring to the drawings which illus- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led May 19, 1909.

Patented Feb. i, 119i@ Serial No. 497,073.

trate the preferred form of our invention, l designates a stationaryspindle that projects upwardly from a stationary support A with whichthe movable clamping jaw B cosurface of the support A so as to reducethe liability of the base plate moving relatively to the support.

Qur improved clamping device can be used for various classes of work,such, for example, as clamping an object to a workbench or to the bedplate of a machine, wand while we have herein shown the spindle 1carried by a base plate that is detachably connected to a bench or bedplate A we do not wish it to be understood that our broad idea islimited to such a construction for it is immaterial whether the spindleis connected directly to the support A or to a separate plate or memberthat is detachably connected to said support.

Thilo we have herein shown our improved clamping device mounted upon ahorizontally disposed support A it will, of course, be understood thatit could be used equally well with a vertically disposed sup- Jort.

l The clamping jaw B is reciprocatingly mounted on the spindle l, and alever 5 is provided for moving the jaw B toward the support A so as tosecurely clamp the object in position. A frame C, through which theupper end of the spindle passes, is provided with a double cam face 6that is located in vertical alinement with a double cam face 7 on theupper side of the movable jaw or clamping member B, and the lever 5 isprovided at its inner end'with a collar 8 rota-` tably mounted on thespindle and arranged between the clamping jaw B and the portion of theframe C through which the spindle passes. This collar 8 is provided onits upper and lower sides with two double cam faces 6a and 7a thatcoperate with the cam faces 6 and 7 on the frame C and jaw B,respectively, the cam faces 6 and 6a inclini ing in an oppositedirection to the cam faces 7 and 7a so that the jaw B will be depressedor moved toward the support A when the lever 5 is rotated about thespindle 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow w in Fig. 3. Byproviding the collar 8 on the lever 5 with double cam faces on its upperand lower sides, as shown in Fig. 5, we obtain an actuating member whichconsists praetically of two semi-circular-shaped wedges that passbetween converging surfaces on the frame C and the clamping jaw B whenthe lever 5y is rotated forwardly, thus positively forcing the jaw Bdownwardly or toward the support A. These two wedges on the collar 8 andthe coperating inclined surfaces on the jaw B are so arranged that thedownward pressure on the jaw B will be distributed equally on oppositesides of the spindle 1. Consequently, there will be no tendency for thejaw B to tilt out of a horizontal plane or bind on the spindle 1 whensaid jaw is being moved into clamping position for the downward pressurethat is exerted on that portion of the jaw at the front of the -spindle1 is the same as the downward pressure on that portion of the jaw at therear of' said spindle. The lever 5 is preferably so formed that it liescomparatively close to the frame C when the clamping jaw is in itselevated position, and when the lever is actuated to depress said jaw astop 9 on the collar 8- engages a vertical guide 10 on the frame C so asto limit the movement of said lever. The jaw B is prevented from turningby means of arms 11 on the rear end thereof that embrace t-he verticalguide 10 on the frame C and also a corresponding guide 1()a on saidframe, the lower ends of said vertical Ouides 10 and 10a being connectedtogether by a portion 12 which partially embraces the spindle 1 so as toform a brace or guide that prevents the frame C from sagging or bindingon the spindle.

l/Vhen the lever 5 is rotated rearwardly slightly or in an oppositedirection to that indicated by the arrow x in Fig. 3 so as to releasethe jaw B, said jaw is moved upwardly by means of a spring 13 thatactuates a yoke-shaped member 4 that projects underneath laterallyprojecting lugs 15 on the jaw B. This yoke-shaped member 14 is curvedintermediate its ends so that it will rocl'upon the portion 12 thatconnects the lower ends of the guides 10 and 10a together, saidyoke-shaped member being provided at its front end with curved recesses`that receive the laterally projecting lugs 15 on the clamping jaw. Thespring 13 is interposed between an extension on frame C and the rear endor tail end of the yoke-shaped member 14 so as to exert downwardpressure on the rear end of said member and thus cause it to move thejaw B upwardly as soon as said jaw has been released. The spring 13herein shown consists of a coiled expansion spring that surrounds avertically disposed guide 1G that passes through an opening 17 in therear end of the yoke-shaped member but it will, of course, be obviousthat a U-shaped tlat spring or any other suitable kind of spring couldbe used for actuating the yoke-shaped member 14 without departing fromthe spirit of our invention.

The frame C is rotatably mounted on the spindle 1 so that it can beturned in the arc of a circle to arrange the clamping jaw in differentpositions, as indicated by the broken lilies in Fig. 3, and means isprovided for locking` said frame in its adjusted position. In theconstruction herein shown said means consists of a movable pin 1Scarried by the frame C and adapted to be forced downwardly into a holeor recess 1t) in the base plate 2, said base plate being` provided withseveral of such holes, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, so as to enable theframe to be locked in various positions. The spindle 1 is provided atits upper end with a screw threaded port-ion 1a on which a nut 20 isrotatably mounted, the frame C having a housing 21 inside of which saidnut is arranged so that the frame C can be bodily adjusted relatively tothe support A to vary the position of the clamping aw relatively to saidsupport. By adjusting the frame C in this manner we are enabled to varythe pressure which the clamping jaw exerts on the object heilig clampedand we are also able to set said jaw in such a position that the spacebetween same and the support A can be varied to accommodate differentsized articles.

A clamping device of this construction comprises few parts so that it isstrong and can be manufactured atl a low cost, the clamping jaw can beadjusted in the arc of a circle and it can also be adjusted relativelyto the support with which it co operates so as to vary the space betweensaid support and jaw, and another very desirable feature of our improveddevice is that the pressure of the actuating member on the clamping jawis distributed in such a manner that said jaw will remain parallel tothe stationary member with which it cooperates and it will not bind onthe spindle on which it moves.

lVhile we prefer to construct the frame C so that it can be moved oradjusted in the arc of a circle, we do not wish it to be understood thatour broad idea is limited to this exact construction for if desired thepin 1S could be securely connected to the base plate so as to merelyform a guide for the frame C when it is being adjusted vertically. lt isalso immaterial, so far as our broad id xa is concerned, whether or notthe frame C is so constructed that it can be adjusted ceases vertically.liVe prefer, however, to construct said frame'so that it can be adjustedvertically and also in the arc of a circle.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A clamping device provided with a `movable jaw, a guiding member onwhich said jaw travels, an actuating member provided with a double camface that cooperates with a double cam face on said jaw so as to movesaid jaw and exert uniform pressure on same when said actuating memberis moved and means com arisino' a rockable element for holding said jawin an in-` yable jaw, a frame, a rotatable actuating member havingcam-shaped faces that cooperate with cam-shaped faces on said frame andjaw, and a yielding device that exerts pressure on said jaw when it ismoving into clamping position.

et. A clamping device comprising a movable jaw, a frame, a rotatableactuating member interposed between said frame and jaw, double cam faceson opposite sides of said actuating member, cope'rating double cam faceson said jaw and frame, a roel;- able element cooperating with said jaw,and a yielding device that exerts pressure on said rockable element.

5. A clamping device comprising a movable jaw, a guide on which said jawis mounted, a rotatable actuating device mounted on said guide,coperating inclined faces or cam faces on said jaw and actuating member,a lever arranged with one of its ends in engagement with said jaw, and aspring that exerts pressure on the opposite end of said lever when thejaw moves into clamping position.

6. In a clamping device, a movable jaw, a spindle on which said jaw isslidingly mounted, an actuating member rotatably mounted on saidspindle, a stationary part with which said actuating member coperates,coperating cam faces formed on said stationary part, on said actuatingmember, and on said jaw, and a spring-actuated device on which said jawrests.

7. In a clamping device, a movable jaw, a guide on which said jaw isreciprocatingly mounted, a frame having a stationary portion arranged inalinement with said jaw, an actuating member rotatably mounted on saidguide and interposed between said jaw and frame, a supporting lever forsaid jaw that engages the jaw at a point adjacent to said guide, and ayielding means for exerting pressure on said lever.

8. In a clamping device, a movable jaw, a spindle on which said jaw isslidingly mounted, a `stationary part arranged in alinement with saidjaw, an actuating member rotatably mounted on said spindle andinterposed between said jaw and stationary part, said actuating memberconsisting of a plurality of semicircular-shaped wedges that coperatewith inclined surfaces on said jaw and stationary part, a lever bearingagainst said jaw, and a spring coperating with said lever in such amanner that it is placed under tension when the jaw moves into clampingposition.

9. A clamping device comprising a clamping jaw and a stationary jaw, arotatable actuating member having a cam-shaped face that coperates witha cam-shaped face on said jaw so as to cause said jaw to move toward thestationary jaw when said actuating member is turned, and aspring-actuated rocltable element which normally supports said jaw andmoves it in the opposite direction away from the stationary jaw.

l0. A clamping device comprising a clamping jaw, a rotatable actuatingmember having a cam-shaped face that coperates with a cam-shaped face onsaid jaw so as to cause said j aw to move in one direction when saidactuating member is turned, independent means for moving said jaw in theopposite direction, said means consisting of a rocking member thatengages said jaw, and a spring for exerting pressure on said rockingmember.

ll. A clamping device comprising a movable jaw, a frame, a guide onwhich said jaw is slidingly mounted, a cam-shaped actuating memberinterposed between said jaw and frame and rotatably mounted on saidguide, a rocking member carried by said frame and engaging said jaw formoving it in one direction, and an expansion spring for actuating saidrocking member.

12. A clamping device comprising a clamping jaw, a guide on which saidaw is slidingly mounted, a frame having a portion that projects oversaid jaw, coperating means on said jaw and frame for preventing the awfrom turning, an actuating member rotatably mounted on said guide andarranged between said j aw and frame for depressing the jaw, a rockingmember mounted on said frame and engaging lugs on said jaw, and a springfor exerting pressure on said rocking member in a direction to elevatesaid jaw.

13. A clamping device comprising a movable clamping jaw that is adaptedto cooperate with a stationary support, means for bodily shifting saidjaw to vary the normal position of same relatively to said support, arotatable actuating member that bears directly against said jaw andmoves it toward the support when it is turned in one direction, andyielding means for moving said jaw away from said support.

1,4. A clamping device comprising a movable jaw that is adapted tocoperate with a stationary support, a guide on which said jaw isslidingly mounted, a frame having a portion through which said guidepasses, .a cam shaped actuating member rotatably mounted on said guideand arrailged between said jaw and frame, and means for adjusting saidframe relatively to the support with which the movable aw coperates.

15. A clamping device comprising a movable jaw that is adapted tocoperate with a stationary support, a guide on which said jaw isslidingly mounted, a frame having a portion through which said guidepasses, a cam-shaped actuating member rotatably mounted on said guideand arranged between said jaw and frame, means for adjusting said framerelatively to the support with which the movable jaw coperates, arocking member carried by said frame and engaging said movable jaw, anda spring interposed between one end of said rocking member and saidframe for moving said jaw away from said stationary support.

1G. A clamping device comprising a spindle, a frame rotatably mounted onsaid spindle, a nut mounted on a screw-threaded port-ion on said spindleand engaging said frame for adjusting it relatively to the spindle, aclamping jaw mounted on said spindle and having arms that embrace guideson said frame, a lever having a collar rotatably mounted on said spindleand arranged between said frame and movable jaw, said collar beingprovided on its uppeand lower sides with cam faces that coperate withcam faces on the movable jaw and frame, a yoke-shaped memberoscillatiugly mounted on said frame and engaging laterally projectinglugs on the movable jaw, a spring interposed between the frame and thetail end of said yoke-shaped member for exerting upward pressure on themovable jaw, said frame being adapted to be moved in an arc of a circleto vary the position of said clamping jaw, and a device carried by saidframe for locking it in adjusted position.

In testimony whereof, we hereunto atix our signatures, in the presenceof two witnesses, this 17th day of May, 1905K JOSEPH J. DIX. LEE lV. VANCLEAVE. lVitnesses TELLS L. CHURCH, GEORGE BAKnwELL.

